The quality of Texas Tech’s options at running back might have been illustrated Monday when Tech coach Tommy Tuberville called SaDale Foster his favorite — and Foster is listed third on the depth chart behind Eric Stephens and Kenny Williams.

“Going on what I’ve seen in spring and the scrimmages, I’m a SaDale Foster guy,” Tuberville said. “I like him. It’s not that I don’t like the other guys. I think Kenny right now is probably the best.

“But what SaDale has done in terms of scrimmages and catching the ball and making people miss in open field and now he’s going to be on a lot of special teams, I like SaDale.

"He's been one of my favorites since I saw him last spring running around. He kind of fits what we do on offense. He's a tough little guy that's built like a fireplug."

Tuberville’s comments were prompted by a questioner who asked if the team’s best back was Williams, given that Stephens and DeAndre Washington are coming back from major knee injuries.

Tuberville said Williams has the bigger upside because of his size and ability to run over or around tacklers.

The 5-foot-7, 187-pound Foster hasn’t played running back since high school. He spent the last two years at Riverside (Calif.) City College as a receiver and return man.

“What impressed me most was his returning of kickoffs and his vision,” Tuberville said. “Sometimes nobody ever touched him. He’d see people coming that most people wouldn’t see. I think that’s his biggest asset is being able to see the field and being able to run away from tacklers that a lot of people can’t see coming.”

Last season, Foster returned 24 punts for a 13.4-yard average and returned 22 kickoffs for a 28.5-yard average. He caught 56 passes for 750 yards and 12 touchdowns.

There should be some some carries to go around in Saturday's season opener against Northwestern State. Tuberville said Stephens' knee is fully healthy, but if he gets 10 or 12 carries that will be a lot.